cannabisnews.com: Pot Growers Turn Out More Potent Product
Pot Growers Turn Out More Potent Product
Posted by CN Staff on April 30, 2007 at 07:20:48 PT
By Jake Stump, Daily Mail Staff
Source: Charleston Daily Mail
West Virginia -- In fact, some marijuana being grown and sold in West Virginia can be four or five times stronger than weed 20 years ago, officials say. A recent study by the University of Mississippi Marijuana Potency Project shows that marijuana on today's market is the strongest ever. The study shows that average levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, have steadily risen from 3.5 percent in 1988 to 8.5 percent in 2006.
But police here have seized even stronger pot. State Police 1st Sgt. Steve Jones said he's eradicated marijuana with THC levels of 15 percent. "Five to six percent is relatively common," Jones said."You used to hear people talk about Acapulco gold (the name of a legendary, potent strain of Mexican marijuana)," Jones added. "Now the plants in West Virginia are often higher than other places."State Police Lt. R.K. Taylor of the agency's drug identification section attributes today's higher potency to more complex, scientific growing methods. Taylor said police are seeing more indoor cultivation.Growing marijuana indoors makes the plant less susceptible to unfavorable weather and allows the grower to operate year-round in a concealed setting, police say. Outdoors, the season for marijuana lasts only through the spring and summer because it is an annual flowering herb. "They have more lights and fertilizers than before," Taylor said. "In the past, individuals planted a low maintenance weed and would sprinkle fertilizer on it once or twice before harvesting it. Now it's gotten more scientific."Marijuana cultivators are skilled enough these days to produce what they want, right down to the sex of the plant. Growers prefer female plants. Taylor said the buds carry the highest levels of THC in the entire plant. Some cultivators manipulate the marijuana to where it's nearly all buds, he said.Internet sites and publications such as "High Times" also make growing marijuana a bit easier for today's pot farmers. The University of Mississippi compiled data on 59,369 samples of cannabis, 1,225 hashish samples, and 443 hash oil samples confiscated since 1975. The highest concentration found in a cannabis sample was 33.12 percent from Oregon State Police. Other drugs, in addition to marijuana, have also evolved into more potent forms.Taylor began his work at the State Police 22 years ago, when he said cocaine was typically 20 percent pure. The rest of it was packed with filler, such as cornstarch. Nowadays, cocaine is often nearly 100 percent pure, Taylor said. Overall, drug caseloads have increased every year in West Virginia, Taylor said. This time of year marks the beginning of a busy season for Sgt. Jones, who heads the marijuana eradication unit. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia consistently ranks among the top 10 states for marijuana eradication despite being 37th in population. Last year, State Police eradicated 55,188 marijuana plants at 629 plots. Of those, State Police documented 2,200 plants from 60 indoor locations, up from the usual 15 to 20, Jones said. "Marijuana grows in every single county in the state," said Jones, a 10-year veteran. "The terrain is well-suited for marijuana growth. We have extremely rugged, remote areas, and the climate is conducive."Growing marijuana indoors doesn't afford absolute protection to the growers. State Police can use a thermal imaging device on its helicopters to detect indoor growth. Sensors can pick up on areas of a building that let off a constant, unusual amount of heat or light. These buildings glow when looking through infrared device. Eradication is most prevalent in the southwestern part of the state, including Wayne, Mingo, Boone and Logan counties, Jones said. Kim Miller, manager of women's addiction treatment services at the Prestera Center, has noticed an increase in marijuana use. She said she rarely sees a patient who is only on marijuana. Some of her patients have included women in their 60s and 70s who've used marijuana daily, she said. One patient, Miller recalled, told her about growing several acres of marijuana with her husband using industry-sized farm equipment. "They'd start planting around this time of year and harvest in October," she said. "They called it the harvest moon. You harvest the crops and cut them down before the first frost comes and hang the plants upside down in a barn to dry. I've heard of people using complex operations, having hidden walls."Miller suspected that the increased potency of today's drug is also influenced by economics. "The goal for the grower is to come up with a better product, just like an apple grower coming up with better apples for the market," Miller said. Note: Today's pot packs more punch. Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV)Author: Jake Stump, Daily Mail StaffPublished: Monday April 30, 2007Copyright: 2007 Charleston Daily MailContact: editor dailymail.comWebsite: http://www.dailymail.com/Related Articles:Stupidest Drug Story of the Weekhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22928.shtmlU.S. Marijuana Even Stronger Than Beforehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22921.shtml
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Comment #15 posted by afterburner on May 01, 2007 at 16:16:43 PT
Action - Reaction: 3 Views
Butte's medical marijuana growing and distribution policy is challenged,
By TERRY VAU DELL/MediaNews Group,
Article Launched: 04/27/2007
http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_576150529.04.2007, [some]
Dutch Coffee Shops Close as Authorities Weed out Drug Tourists http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2459387,00.htmlCanada: Is This The Answer? http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n532/a11.html
(Sat, 28 Apr 2007),
Toronto Sun.
IS THIS THE ANSWER?
Legalizing Street Drugs: Bold Move Could Starve Gangs, Respected Author Argues
[ Post Comment ]
Comment #14 posted by Storm Crow on May 01, 2007 at 13:18:00 PT
They are "cooking" the stats!
When I bought weed in the 60s and 70s, it was a mix of stems, seeds, leaves and some bud. That has changed! Now all you get is sinsimilla- no heavy seeds or stems and seldom is a leaf in sight! Stems, leaves and seeds are much lower potency than pure bud. Of course, the percentage of THC has gone up! They are now just testing pure bud!
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Comment #13 posted by The GCW on April 30, 2007 at 20:13:05 PT
Shocking.
Government makes it harder to grow the God-given plant cannabis (marijuana / the devil weed) then the result is more indoor grown plants making the average THC levels rise. What a shock!
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Comment #12 posted by The GCW on April 30, 2007 at 20:00:20 PT
Los Angeles Times is part of the problem.
Los Angeles Times US: A New High for Marijuana in U.S.(A NEW HIGH!)The marijuana being sold across the United States is stronger than ever, which could explain a growing number of medical emergencies that involve the drug, government drug experts Wednesday. Analysis of seized samples of marijuana and hashish showed that more of the cannabis on the market is of the strongest grade, the White House and National Institute for Drug Abuse said. They cited data from the University of Mississippi's Marijuana Potency Project showing the average levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in the products rose from 7% in 2003 to 8.5% in 2006. The level had risen steadily from 3.5% in 1988. http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n541/a03.html?397-0-Heck, the devil weed is STRONGER! It's Schedule I!Meth and coke are only Schedule II!So I guess I'll go do some coke and meth instead.-0-The LATimes has no shame. They and media in general may be part of the rising addiction rates America is facing.Demonizing cannabis / kaneh bosm (the devil weed, right Walters?) has the effect of creating an environment of contempt.
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Comment #11 posted by cannabliss on April 30, 2007 at 09:49:06 PT
Conclusions to Draw
Someone might draw the conclusion that if potency and availablity of illegal drugs has increased over time, the "War On Drugs" has been a failure, or at least a suboptimal expenditure.The slipperiness of prohibs means that if drug use (or potency or whatever) decreases, they can say "See? it's working! Give us more money!"If it increases, they can say "The problem is more serious than ever! Give us more money!"If it remains roughly the same, they can say "It's a tough road, but we will eventually see progress if we stick it out! Give us more money!"
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Comment #10 posted by dongenero on April 30, 2007 at 09:08:23 PT
Illinois senate Medical cannabis bill
The Illinois senate may vote as early as today on SB 650.Anyone in Illinois......please write your representative.Everyone else......put some positive thoughts towards, Illinois......it needs all the help it can get.Passing these laws through legislation rather than referendum can be tough as most politicians are deathly afraid of the issue.Go Illinois!!!
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Comment #9 posted by HempWorld on April 30, 2007 at 09:06:41 PT
An illegal search by the police via helicopter:
"State Police can use a thermal imaging device on its helicopters to detect indoor growth. Sensors can pick up on areas of a building that let off a constant, unusual amount of heat or light. These buildings glow when looking through infrared device."US Supreme Court Rules High Tech Scanning Unconstitutional without Warrant
Kyllo v. US
CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT
[Decided June 11, 2001]ACLU's Amicus BriefIn a 5-4 ruling on June 11, 2001, the US Supreme Court ruled that the use of thermal imaging (infrared) scanners to look at homes for evidence of crimes is unconstitutional without a warrant. The majority issued a broad decision, suggesting that other types of high-tech gear which reduce privacy in the home are also disallowed without a warrant. This decision reverses a set of flip-flopped 9th Circuit Appeals Court decisions where the 9th Circuit first found in favor of Kyllo and then, after a judge resigned, it reheard the case and decided against Kyllo.
Nobody can stop this!
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Comment #8 posted by potpal on April 30, 2007 at 09:03:55 PT
grows
I would think only large grows, commercial ones, need worry about this anyway. Small, personal grows, sit in the 250-400w range and the heat output is no more than a color tv or refrigerator. Now imagine flying a helicopter over an urban area looking for variances in heat output. The legend is one of the scare tactics used by the Police State, ah State Police, every chance they get.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on April 30, 2007 at 08:44:03 PT
TroutMask
That's a good question. This is what I think. It was ruled that they couldn't use infra red but then Bush changed it with the Patriot Act. I could be wrong though.
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Comment #6 posted by Graehstone on April 30, 2007 at 08:43:05 PT
TM ... your correct
http://www.erowid.org/freedom/courts/supreme/supreme_case2_comment1.shtmlHere you go my friend. ;)
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Comment #5 posted by TroutMask on April 30, 2007 at 08:36:47 PT
Goodbye Supreme Court
"State Police can use a thermal imaging device on its helicopters to detect indoor growth."Wrong. I don't know if this information is old or if the State Police are actually using this method of illegal search without a warrant. A US Supreme Court ruling recently forbade using infrared (heat) detectors in this manner without a warrant. If they have a warrant, then what's the use of an infrared detector?So, are they actually using this illegal search method or is the information wrong?-TM
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Comment #4 posted by dongenero on April 30, 2007 at 08:28:01 PT
role of cannabis for hard drug addicts
Kim Miller, manager of women's addiction treatment services at the Prestera Center, has noticed an increase in marijuana use.She said she rarely sees a patient who is only on marijuana.Kim, you rarely see a patient only on cannabis because those using only cannabis very rarely have any problem with use......unless they are referred to treatment in order to avoid draconian drug laws.Those hard drug addicts she does see, often use cannabis as well as virtually any and every other intoxicating compound available, because that's what hard drug addicts tend to do.
They are potentially addicted to anything and everything that feeds those pleasure receptors.In fact, there is evidence that cannabis use only, can help some of these addicts stay away from the hard, addictive and potentially deadly drugs.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on April 30, 2007 at 07:56:43 PT
potpal
I just don't understand why they keep harping on this subject. Why don't they study alcohol and problems that can surface instead of cannabis?
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Comment #2 posted by potpal on April 30, 2007 at 07:55:49 PT
Your money
Don't know about you, but I don't want my tax dollars going to pay 60000 dollar salaries and have those people out landscaping. As long as sunlight and rain are not prohibited you will have acres of cannabis all over this green blue planet. Give it up. Spend the money on more meaningful endeavors. Idiots. Last year, State Police eradicated 55,188 marijuana plants at 629 plots. Of those, State Police documented 2,200 plants from 60 indoor locations, up from the usual 15 to 20, Jones said. "Marijuana grows in every single county in the state," said Jones, a 10-year veteran. "The terrain is well-suited for marijuana growth. We have extremely rugged, remote areas, and the climate is conducive."Growing marijuana indoors doesn't afford absolute protection to the growers. State Police can use a thermal imaging device on its helicopters to detect indoor growth. Sensors can pick up on areas of a building that let off a constant, unusual amount of heat or light. These buildings glow when looking through infrared device.
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Comment #1 posted by potpal on April 30, 2007 at 07:46:48 PT
Reefer madness
Is alive...The psychos have spoken...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6606931.stm
Beware:
http://www.cchr.org/
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